MELBOURNE — In a whirlwind of pink-ball chaos under the Melbourne lights, England secured a staggering, nerve-shredding four-wicket victory over Australia inside two days at the MCG, clinching their first Ashes Test win on Australian soil since 2011 and keeping the series alive at 2-1.
The third Test, a contest condensed into a breathless 1071 balls, will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary in Ashes history. On a green-tinged pitch offering extravagant seam movement and unpredictable bounce, batters from both sides were rendered virtually helpless, with 34 wickets tumbling in just six sessions. England, chasing a meagre target of 128, stumbled to 81 for 6 before an ice-cool, unbeaten 34 from captain Ben Stokes saw them over the line amid palpable tension.
A Bowling Masterclass Unfolds
The match was set up by a phenomenal display of fast bowling from England’s veteran campaigners. After Stokes won a crucial toss and elected to bowl, James Anderson and Ollie Robinson produced spells of pinpoint accuracy and relentless discipline. Australia’s top order, perhaps expecting the traditional MCG batting paradise, was dismantled for a paltry 67 all out in just 28.1 overs—their lowest total at home against England since 1904.
Robinson, extracting steep bounce and subtle movement, claimed 4 for 19, while Anderson’s metronomic control yielded 3 for 23. The carnage was summarised by Australian opener David Warner, who could only say, "We simply had no answer. Every ball felt like it could get you out." England, however, failed to build an insurmountable lead, themselves bowled out for 237, with Pat Cummins taking 4 for 63.
Australia's Second Innings Fightback
Trailing by 170, Australia showed significantly more grit in their second innings. Usman Khawaja (43) and Marnus Labuschagne (28) weathered the storm in a 59-run partnership that threatened to bat England out of the game. The hosts reached 124 for 3, a lead of 294, and seemed poised to set a daunting target. Yet, the introduction of part-time spinner Joe Root proved the game’s pivotal moment.
In a spell of off-spin magic, Root removed both set batters and the dangerous Alex Carey in quick succession, triggering a collapse of 7 for 56. Australia were all out for 180, leaving England a target of 128. Reflecting on his golden arm, Root remarked, "On that surface, you just tried to put it in the right area and hope for the best. Thankfully, it worked a treat."
The Nerve-Jangling Chase
What should have been a straightforward chase became a heart-in-mouth thriller. England’s top order, perhaps afflicted by the pressure of the occasion and the continued excellence of Cummins and Mitchell Starc, fell in a heap. At 81 for 6, with nightwatchman Robinson dismissed, Australian hopes were soaring. The required 47 runs felt like a mountain. The key moments of the collapse included:
- Zak Crawley bowled by a Starc beauty for 12.
- Joe Root caught behind fending at Cummins for 3.
- Harry Brook edging Scott Boland to second slip for 8.
Enter Ben Stokes. The England captain, renowned for his superhuman feats in run chases, combined fierce determination with calculated aggression. He found a willing ally in wicketkeeper Ben Foakes (19*), and together they navigated the minefield. Stokes sealed the victory with a thunderous straight drive off Cummins, unleashing a roar of relief and triumph that echoed around the cavernous stadium.
Reactions and Series Implications
The victory sparked wild celebrations among the Barmy Army and marked a stunning turnaround for an England side written off after heavy defeats in Brisbane and Adelaide. A visibly emotional Stokes said in the post-match presentation, "I'm incredibly proud of the character the lads showed. After the first two Tests, people doubted us, but we never stopped believing in our method. This win is for everyone who kept the faith."
Australian captain Pat Cummins was gracious in defeat but critical of the pitch, stating, "Full credit to England, they outplayed us. But a two-day Test isn’t ideal for anyone—fans, players, or the game. We want five days of tough cricket, and conditions here were just too heavily weighted in the bowlers' favour." Match referee Javagal Srinath later rated the MCG pitch as "below average," citing its excessive seam movement.
Looking Ahead to Sydney
The result completely alters the momentum of the series. Instead of a dead rubber, the fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground now becomes a crucial encounter with Australia leading 2-1. England will travel north with renewed belief that their aggressive 'Bazball' philosophy can work in Australian conditions, especially if they win another crucial toss.
Key questions now loom for both camps:
- Can Australia’s famed batting line-up, which has failed to pass 300 in five consecutive innings, find form on a traditionally flatter SCG deck?
- Will England be able to replicate the disciplined bowling lengths that brought them such success in Melbourne?
- Does this result signal a historic comeback, or will it prove a thrilling aberration in an otherwise dominant Australian series victory?
One thing is certain: the 2023/24 Ashes, seemingly dead and buried a week ago, has been spectacularly resurrected. The Melbourne miracle has ensured that the New Year’s Test in Sydney will be played with the urn still theoretically up for grabs, setting the stage for a potentially epic conclusion to a series already brimming with drama and unforgettable moments.